Penguin Facts

informer | May 2, 2011 |

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Here are a few interesting facts about penguins. I am sure they will add a bit to your knowledge about these beautiful creatures. Please share your opinions by commenting below.

Penguins are birds but they swim instead of flying.

Did you know that they spend most of their time in water?

Their wings help them in propelling forward through the water.

Like other birds, they also lay eggs.

They prey upon krill and fish underwater.

They vary in size from 4 feet tall to a mere 16 inches tall penguin.

The largest penguin is Emperor penguin that stands 4 feet tall and can weigh 35 kg.

The smallest of all penguin species is the fairy penguin that is only 16 inches tall and weigh only 1 kg.

The king penguin is the second largest penguin species.

An interesting fact about the rockhoppen penguins is that they can be distinguished by their blood-red eyes, red-orange beak and a crest of hair that look like spikes.

Did you know that their eyes can see better underwater than in air? This helps them in identifying prey and also provides extra protection from predators.

They are excellent swimmers.

Penguins are not found on the North Pole.

Various authorities divide them into 17 to 20 species.

Humans are a big threat to penguins. This is one of the very disturbing penguin facts.

The fairy penguin is also known as the little blue penguin.

Some authorities consider the Macaroni Penguin and the Royal Penguin the same species.

All penguins except one are found below the line of equator. The only penguin to cross the line of equator is the Galapagos Penguin. They live in the Galapagos Islands off the coast of Ecuador.

The two largest penguins i.e. the Emperor Penguin and the King Penguin, don't make a nest. They lay a single egg and incubate it on their feet.

Isabelline penguins have a brown plumage instead of black. They are very rear and are short-lived.